State police 'Warrant Wednesday' initiative seeks help from social media

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The Dansville Online

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Posted Feb. 6, 2014 at 1:24 PM
Updated Feb 6, 2014 at 2:34 PM

Posted Feb. 6, 2014 at 1:24 PM
Updated Feb 6, 2014 at 2:34 PM

Wellsville, N.Y.

ALBANY — State Police will use social media to catch wanted people across the state, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced.

“Warrant Wednesday” was launched on the New York State Police Facebook page Wednesday statewide. State police are asking for the public’s help to track down those who have warrants out for arrest.

Each Wednesday, wanted posters will be added to the Facebook page featuring posters of wanted people with arrest or bench warrants from across the state. Previous wanted postings on the state police Facebook page, and the public’s assistance, have led to the identification and arrest of several people.

“The state police have already seen the benefits of broadening our use of social media,” said State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico. “We are expanding on a pilot program that we launched late last year that proved successful in the identification and arrest of several individuals. Expanding this initiative statewide will allow us to take full advantage of social media’s widespread reach to a large, diverse audience.”

State police say they need the public’s assistance in this initiative and to help locate these wanted people. The public is also encouraged to look at and share the postings each week.

“It is important that anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the individuals not take any police action themselves and instead contact state police,”?state police said. “The public should not post tips directly on the Facebook page, but instead use the phone numbers included in each poster to call.

To view the “Warrant Wednesday” postings, you do not need a Facebook account. You can see the postings by visiting the New York State Police Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nyspolice. If you already have an account, state police invite you to “Like” the division’s page.

Postings will also be shared on the New York State Police Twitter page at www.twitter.com/@nyspolice.

Trooper Victor Morales, public information officer for Troop A in Batavia, said for Troop A, cases involving warrants will be submitted from each of the four zones. The cases would be reviewed in Batavia.

“We’re going to be working with all four zones (covering the eight Western New York counties) to see which one we’re going to highlight on any particular week,”?Morales said Wednesday. “One might be a little hotter than the other as far as when the warrant came out. It’s going to really depend on what the case is, what’s going on at the time. Locality is important as well.”

“Warrant?Wednesday” postings, he said.

“We do look at the crime itself. We’re looking at the timing. Is it a cold lead or a hot lead? It depends on how the case is being worked. Is it something we feel the public might be able to help with?” Morales said.